El Conuco Farmer’s Market Off to Healthy Start

On Sunday, June 21st, PRCC held its first Farmer’s Market of the season. Initially, not much success was expected the first go around. We started out small given that there was little publicity. Luckily, it was Father’s Day and with great weather, we made a small profit. A local musical performance drew neighbors who engaged with management about our goals; they were invited to participate if they had food to sell/donate.

Staff handed out fliers to passersby in cars. In that way, the sample sofrito jars that were made, were all sold to one person. Within an hour, those who had preordered arrived and pre-requested sofrito–the day ended with over 20 pre-ordered Sofrito jars, a promising start for next Sunday. New residents who explored the neighborhood were excited about the possibility of a farmer’s market down their street. Those on their way to the gym appreciated the proximity of locally grown food so close to home.

Many Puerto Ricans here have a grandparent or another ancestor. The jibarito songs from earlier generations stress the significance of harvesting food to feed families.

DSBDA is working with local growers so our market could supply all varieties of fruits and vegetables. This is the year we want to make the Farmer’s Market self-sustaining, as we expand the variety of food we provide as well as the critical lessons of growing our culturally specific foods for ourselves.

Join us next week as local artists display their work while we sell in season locally grown, all natural food.